LOCAL NEWS
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Business news from in and around East Durham
The second issue of a new magazine which celebrates East Durham's thriving business community is out now. East Durham Business features a four-page interview with VBites entrepreneur Heather Mills, plus features with Andy Laundon from Enterprise House Seaham, Graeme...
National training provider Learning Curve Group - which acquired Peterlee's Profound Group last year - has announced a new partnership with gym chain Xercise4Less. The partnership will offer four exceptional Level 3 qualifications to develop the next generation of...
Great Annual Savings Group has been presented with two awards for its contribution to local charities. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has become the first recipient of the Winskill Award, after recently receiving the Payroll Giving Quality Mark highest...
Homefair Blinds, which has head offices in Seaham and Manchester, has been acquired in a management buy-out led by Steve Ellithorn, Claire Ripley and Shaun Welsh. The trio acquired the company from retiring director, Jonathan Fitton. The County Durham retailer and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves have sought advice to pursue their business dreams. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support in the North East 2 Programme, has...
Financial advice company Wealth of Advice has made another key appointment as it continues to add to its client portfolio. Cristina Duran Alvarez has been appointed to work within the client administration team. The 29-year-old was offered the job just 15 days before...
A business centre which provides high quality accommodation for new and growing SMEs has been officially opened. Enterprise House Seaham was opened by the Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Linda Willis, who cut the ribbon to declare the facility ready for business, and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves are being given support to make the leap from secure work to running their own business. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support...
A Peterlee company which refurbishes old computers and laptops for redistribution back into the community has launched a new charity campaign. Protech has started the “Pay it Forward” campaign, which aims to level the IT playing field, helping people with a 'if we...
A North East training company is aiming to scale up its operations with the help of a six-figure investment from the North East Growth Capital Fund Supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Positive Futures (NE) works with a range of local authorities and...
Record numbers of people attended this year’s EMCON as Heather Mills took to the stage to give the event’s keynote address. Ms Mills, whose vegan food empire is the biggest producer of vegan-based food in the world, took to the stage to share her entrepreneurial...
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, part of a global Fortune 500 corporation founded in 1615, is the first tenant to sign up for a new business unit at Jade Business Park in Durham. Jade Business Park, which is now under construction, is a 55 acre employment site...
Ray Lonsdale, the man behind the famous ‘Tommy’ sculpture of a soldier from the First World War, which is an iconic attraction within Seaham, will officially open a business centre offering high quality, flexible accommodation for new and growing businesses. Ray’s...
A man who was made redundant from the former Walkers crisps factory in Peterlee has turned setback into opportunity by launching his own business. Neil Harrison found himself unemployed when he lost his job after 32 years of employment. The 52-year-old father-of-two...
ZF, the Peterlee-based leader in the production of specialist safety camera equipment for vehicles, has been confirmed as a ‘VIP company’ at this year’s EMCON. The company is the one of several regional big hitters to be announced, all of which will be taken around to...
A leading North East supplier of print and packaging solutions is celebrating a significant boost to its team with the announcement of eight new appointments to drive forward plans for future growth. The Encore Group is strengthening the teams across its divisions at...
An organisation which has led the way in supporting the development of the Asian business community in the North of England is celebrating its tenth anniversary by launching two new inspirational campaigns. Asian Business Connexions (ABC), which is supported by...
Three regional business leaders who have embraced innovation, social media and digital technology to grow their business will join Heather Mills on this year’s EMCON Industry Leaders’ Panel Debate. The theme of the event will be ‘Transforming Business and Embracing...
Battery manufacturer Alexander Technologies Europe Ltd (ATEL) has been acquired by its incumbent management team in a transaction part-funded under a £9.2m senior secured unitranche facility provided by Shard Credit Partners. The transaction, which has been completed...
Businesses are urged to book their place at the final Incubator Zone programme at this year’s EMCON event, with only a few stands remaining. The programme, one of five strands of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), is aimed at companies within County...
Businesses in County Durham have only ten days left to apply for free energy advice that could save them thousands of pounds on their utility bills each year. Trevor Robson, Secretary of Beamish Park Golf Club, near Stanley, urged small to medium-sized enterprises to...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) is looking to further expand its community impact by dedicating resource to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Seaham-based B2B cost consultancy has donated more than £45,000 over the last 12 months to its three corporate...
A high quality and much needed business centre which puts Seaham at its very heart will open next month. Businessmen Andy Laundon and Lee Bishton are transforming the unused building at Enterprise Court within Seaham Grange Industrial Estate into office space for new...
A family-run retirement advice company which helps people invest their wealth for maximum return has seen its portfolio rise to over £115m – having started with just one person. Wealth of Advice is headed up by East Durham entrepreneur Chris Breward, who launched the...
Staff at a North East firm have outdone themselves by raising more than £45,000 in 12 months for three charities in the region. Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) employees have raised funds for their three chosen charities through a series of activities, events and...
Businesswoman Heather Mills, who owns the former Walkers Crisps factory in Peterlee, has been confirmed as keynote speaker at this year’s EMCON event. The announcement was made by the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) which organises EMCON. Visionary...
Several companies have booked their place for the final Incubator Zone programme at this year’s EMCON event and East Durham companies are urged not to miss out. The programme, one of five strands of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), is aimed at...
A new magazine to showcase East Durham’s thriving business community launches next week. East Durham Business will be a flagship publication, replacing the printed PBP News and SBP News newsletters. The magazine has been developed by the team at LEC Communications and...
Planning consent has been given for a new multi-million pound business park which could see the creation of more than 2,500 jobs in County Durham. As a first phase, Durham County Council is funding the construction of seven speculative units (comprising 155,000 sq ft)...
A North East care professional has completed her second residential care home acquisition six months after her first – and she is already on the lookout for further similar properties to add to her growing business. After acquiring the Langley House Residential Care...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has once again expanded its B2B customer offering by teaming up with a fellow County Durham business. Shredding expert Shred Base deals with secure, GDPR-compliant document and product disposal for businesses across the UK. GAS will...
ZF in Peterlee has smashed its £1,000 fundraising target after entering a team into Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life event in Sunderland earlier this month. Thirteen staff members took part in the charity event, with the only male who entered, Harry Robson, crossing...
Businesses are being encouraged to review their social media policies on the back of the sacking of BBC broadcaster Danny Baker. HR expert Alison Schreiber, who works closely with the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups, is urging businesses to think clearly...
UK electrical safety testing expert Seaward Electronic has made two new appointments to its board of directors. Experienced systems engineer Jonathan Odonde joins the Peterlee based business as chief technology officer, while financial expert Graham Lawrence takes on...
Businesses in County Durham could save thousands of pounds on their energy bills each year by taking advantage of an energy saving advice scheme. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the county have until the beginning of September this year to apply...
A Peterlee company has announced a new partnership to simplify the way PCs are refreshed and disposed of. Protech Group and JRA announced a strategic partnership to simplify PC Refresh projects and the associated PC disposal process. Protech, which is based on...
From horsebox catering to light and airy café as Charltons proves its catering pedigree… Review by Leanne Fawcett, MD of LEC Communications and Design. For several years we at LEC have been firm fans of catering company Charltons. We love our food and when it’s fresh,...
Further to the publication of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (NELEP) second annual ‘Our Economy’ report, the £120m regional investment programme, North East Fund, is encouraging SMEs to attend its next funding support event being held in County Durham....
Vivarail, the manufacturer of eco-friendly passenger trains, has accelerated expansion of its site in County Durham and turned it into its national research and development centre, creating new jobs faster than expected. It opened the new plant at the Spectrum...
Twenty new jobs have been created since a support programme to help County Durham engineering and manufacturing companies to grow launched. The Incubator Zone was added to the EMCON line up in 2017 to attract those companies who had never before exhibited at the...
Business leaders have been encouraged to 'make a difference' with their success by one of the UK's most philanthropic, celebrity entrepreneurs during her visit to the North East at the region's largest business conference. Speaking to an audience of more than 300...
A former apprentice has proved his employer’s investment in him was no waste as he begins a permanent job with the company. Callum Summerill has been completing an 18-month business administration apprenticeship with Peterlee-based Shred Direct, after being taken on...
A new multi-million pound business park development on a former colliery could see the creation of more than 2,500 jobs in County Durham, subject to planning permission. As a first phase, Durham County Council is funding the construction of seven units (comprising...
Growing businesses from County Durham's manufacturing and engineering sectors are being urged not to miss out on tapping into support from a unique exhibition programme. The Incubator Zone is a support strand of Business Durham’s Durham Business Opportunities...
Ramsdens has relocated to Castle Dene Shopping Centre in Peterlee. The popular value retailer and financial services brand has moved from a shop at Yoden Way. The new store, which is located in a cornerstone area of the town centre opposite Costa coffee and on the...
Small and medium sized food producers from County Durham are snapping up support to get their products to market. The Durham Food and Drink Network is helping producers of all sizes, who are making tasty and distinctive food and drink products but don’t know how to...
Two businesses which are each undergoing a period of significant growth are moving to bigger offices to accommodate their continued expansion. QuickRebates and SSK Recruitment are both based within Novus Business Centre in Peterlee. And as each business has won new...
An event looking at the need to adopt a joined up approach to skills development has taken place. The TTE Technical Institute, which has a facility in Peterlee, has hosted a skills roundtable discussion event together with Policy Connect and the Learning and Work...
A Peterlee training company is helping one of the UK’s largest contract wine bottlers to fully utilise its share of the apprenticeship levy. GEM Training is the long-term partner of County Durham’s Greencroft Bottling Company and is delivering a number of training...
From today, the government’s major Making Tax Digital programme becomes law for over one million VAT registered businesses earning over £85,000. The new rules, first announced in 2015, will mean most businesses above the VAT threshold will need to keep their records...
An experienced design engineer is utilising waste glass and gin bottles to diversify his business into the arts and crafts retail market. Jim Box, Managing Director of Peterlee-based Be Smart Solutions, saw a gap in the market to customise discarded glass bottles...
Businesses from across the region came together to share plans for growth, despite the current economic uncertainty. The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups held their first Network with your Neighbour event of 2019 at Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa this...
The TTE Technical Institute has rebranded its County Durham training facility, following its acquisition last year, as part of the continued growth of its portfolio of services to industry. The Peterlee-based facility, formerly Infinite Learning and Development (ILD),...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been confirmed as a new affiliate partner, and preferred energy supplier, for the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN). The Seaham-based business savings company replaces Utilitywise, which entered administration earlier...
Companies across County Durham are being encouraged to sign up for the final phase of a unique exhibition programme. The Incubator Zone is a support strand of Business Durham’s Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), created to help new and growing micro and...
Teesside based global manufacturing company Venator is offering 40 grants of £250 to schools, colleges, groups and other organisations in the North East that encourage learning in STEM subjects of science, engineering, technology and maths. The £10,000 Bright Ideas...
Sixteen young people are in the driving seat towards career within the automotive industry as they continue on their apprenticeship journey. ZF Peterlee is committed to investing in the best talent as part of its plans for long-term growth. To support that, the...
ResQ, the privately owned UK contact centre business, is announcing today that it is recruiting 150 more people to join its site in Seaham. ResQ, established in 2006, employs 1000 staff in Hull and has enjoyed significant year on year growth. It opened its second...
Businesswoman Heather Mills has revealed that the former Walkers Crisps factory she took over to manufacture her range of plant-based foods in Peterlee will be open for business within the next three months. The entrepreneur has tapped into the fast-growing vegan food...
GEM Partnership has announced a key appointment which will enhance the services it offers clients, providing them with a single solution to their recruitment and training needs. Alison Golsworthy-Miller joins the company as Business Development Consultant with over 25...
A Peterlee contact centre has emerged triumphant from the region's leading industry awards. Market leading insurance services business Auxillis claimed the title of North East Contact Centre of the Year 2018 (Over 250 seats) at the North East Contact Centre Awards....
A budding entrepreneur from Peterlee has launched his own business with the help of East Durham Business Service – and now counts the organisation as one of his clients. Jonny Golightly has set up THEGO2GROUP after 10 years working as an energy consultant for some of...
A County Durham glass manufacturer is set to boost its turnover by 30 per cent after acquiring its existing property, with the support of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Part of the United Glass Group Ltd, PLG Glass purchased its 50,000 sq ft Mill Hill premises last...
East Durham business owners looking for funding to help growth, create jobs and develop innovative products and services are being invited to an event that will help companies attract investment. North East Fund, a £120m investment pot delivering significant funding...
A growing North East company has expanded its portfolio of cost-saving services with the launch of a new regional partnership. County Durham’s Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) will now help businesses prepare for a low carbon future by offering the installation of...
Two groups which support the growth and success of the Peterlee and Seaham business park communities have announced a significant new partnership. The Peterlee and Seaham Business Park Groups’ steering committee has secured the services and expertise of Seaham Hall...
Food and drink producers are being given invaluable advice and guidance around food labelling to ensure they’re complying with strict European and UK legislation. Durham Food and Drink Network has organised an event to give micro and small businesses a better...
Figures compiled by The Open University on data analysis in 2018 show that £1.28m paid by employers through the Apprenticeship Levy is languishing unspent. Employers in the region are being encouraged to fully utilise their levy and Peterlee company GEM Training who...
Free training designed to help local companies boost skills and win new work is proving to be the root of success for a County Durham tree cutting business. Rhys Williams, together with his parents Karen and Lee, who run Eden Dene Tree Services from their Peterlee...
Two people are starting the new year off in the best way possible - in secure employment. That’s because founder of The Employability Trust, Bill Marley, offered them both jobs during a live radio interview with BBC Tees’ Breakfast Show. Carl Swindle and Sandra Long...
More than 150 jobs are being created at a North East cost management specialist as it unveils plans to double its workforce in the next year. Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has already increased staff numbers from 31 to 140 after moving to the Spectrum Business Park...
A North East training and apprenticeships provider has expanded its portfolio after taking on a new key member of staff. Profound Services, based on Peterlee Business Park, has added IT and Social Media apprenticeships to its wide range of training and employment...
A former surveillance trainer and specialist operations cop - who worked on some of the UK’s most dangerous and covert operations - has launched his own company, Orangebox Training Solutions Limited. Simon Corbett started his career as a police constable working for...
Spectrum Business Park welcomes a fast-growing contact centre which will create 1,200 jobs in the region. ResQ employs 670 people at its Hull site which is at full capacity, with their new offices now set up in the North East, they have already begun recruiting. ResQ...
Teesside's premier home event returns to the Riverside stadium next month and hopes to make dreams a reality for North East homeowners. The North East Home Expo gives visitors the opportunity to chat informally with professionals from the build, design and interior...
A North East business has called for more entrepreneurs to look at apprentices as a way of driving their first phases of growth – and is giving its latest intake the keys to the boardroom to prove they have what it takes. As the latest figures from the Skills Funding...
A local human resources expert has spoken out about how the EU referendum could be affecting small businesses and unemployment in County Durham. The EU debate has well and truly taken over the airwaves. Politicians from both sides are hurling conflicting statistics at...
An environmental officer from a Peterlee packaging firm has offered up her top energy efficiency tips to mark World Environment Day. Each year, World Environment Day challenges people across the globe to do something to take care of the earth. To provide inspiration...
Peterlee claims management company, Albany Assistance are proud to announce that two members of their IT team, Richard Arrowsmith and Ryan Towell have completed their IT Professional Level 3 Apprenticeship. The 12 month course has helped cement the knowledge that both...
One of East Durham's biggest companies has been recognised as a top employer for the fifth year running. Certification has been awarded to PepsiCo UK, based on Peterlee Business Park, by The Top Employers Institute, an independent organisation that analyses the...
A North East based training and apprenticeship specialist has appointed a new IT Coordinator as part of an ongoing strategy to broaden its learning portfolio. Profound Services, based on Bracken Hill Business Park in Peterlee, has announced the appointment of Ian...
North East packaging specialist Encore Packaging Solutions has employed a new Group Quality and Environmental Manager following demand from customers for food packaging options. Encore Packaging Solutions and its sister company Encore Envelopes already produce more...
Spectrum Business Park is thrilled to welcome Seaham Safety Services to the park. SSS is one of the UK’s leading Health and Safety Training providers in the construction and manufacturing industries. SSS offer a range of services from NVQ training in the workplace,...
North East engineering and manufacturing will once again come under the national spotlight as plans for this year’s Durham Oktoberfest are announced. The event, which is now in its ninth year, is taking place on Thursday, October 20, at the Xcel Centre in Newton...
A major East Durham employer is celebrating after being named as one of only seven ZF TRW sites globally to have scooped a prestigious health and safety award. ZF TRW Peterlee, which develops and produces active and passive safety systems for vehicle manufacturers...
Two human resources professionals who set up their own businesses within the past two years have been approached by a retiring competitor to take over advice and support services to his clients. Jayne Hart, in Newcastle, and Alison Schreiber, in Durham and Darlington,...
Workers on Peterlee Business Park are being urged to slip into some sneakers for the Midday Mile challenge later this month. Employees from businesses on and around the park are being invited to take part in the lunch-time fitness challenge as part of Workplace Health...
A cost management specialist has hit the significant milestone of helping firms make savings of more than £600,000 so far this year. Following a surge in new business, Great Annual Savings Group (GAS), which launched a suite of six new services in April, has now...
Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has given its backing to an East Durham school eyeing double success in a national football competition. Two teams from Easington Colliery Primary School have made it through to the English Schools’ Football Association Under-11s...
A North East training and apprenticeships specialist has announced "glowing" reports from watchdogs. Two Profound Group companies, both based on Peterlee Business Park, were inspected by Matrix, Ofsted and the Skills Funding Agency. Northern Care Training (NCT) and...
A receptionist was sent home by her employer for breaking the company's dress policy and not wearing high heels at work. Nicola Thorp, 27, arrived at her office in central London wearing flat shoes, but was told that the company's dress code required her to wear 2-4...
A new grant is allowing an East Durham training provider to offer businesses funding of up to £3,500 when they take on an apprentice. Caterpillar, ZF TRW and NSK Peterlee are among the area's top firms who continuously develop their workforce via apprenticeship...
An award-winning East Durham College student has launched his own business as he sets out to complete his final year of qualifications. Lewis Coils, 20, from Wingate, who earlier this year won first place in the men’s freestyle design category at the national...
The final survey of North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) members ahead of the EU Referendum has reinforced previous results with the majority in favour of remaining in the EU. Of those who responded to the survey 57.3% said they will vote to stay in the EU, with...
There has never been a better time to consider an Apprenticeship. Young people can ‘get in and go far’ with an Apprenticeship at some of Britain’s biggest and brightest companies. You can gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, in some cases up to degree...
Durham County Council’s energy efficiency expertise has resulted in a £310,000 grant award to work with partners across Europe. As part of the Interreg Europe programme, the funding will see the council work with other authorities across the continent on two energy...
East Durham College’s hairdressing department have been specially commended by one of the sector’s major organisations. East Durham College’s hair department have become one of only two colleges in the country to have a fully registered team by the Hair Council. Ten...
A former Newcastle United footballer who used to stop strikers is now helping his former club prevent fraud. Graeme Carter, from Wheatley Hill in County Durham, arrived at St James’ Park as an apprentice in 1986. The central defender, who also played basketball for...
A member of the European Parliament has visited East Durham College’s Houghall campus to speak with a number of different departments and get a guided tour of the land-based studies college. Paul Brannen MEP, who is one of three North East MEPs, sits on the...
A Peterlee recruitment specialist has been awarded a top international accreditation for the investment it makes in its workforce. GEM Premium People, based on the North West Industrial Estate, has secured the Investors in People award. The award was given to GEM for...
A growing martial arts club has invested in new equipment after receiving a grant from a local councillor. Horden Martial Arts Club was awarded a cheque for £150 from Cllr June Clark, County Councillor for Horden under the Members’ Initiative Scheme. The money was...
Continental Chef Supplies & NECTA’s hunt for the North East’s Future Chef 2016 came to an end last week, with student Lee McKinnell taking the crown at the annual NECTA Hospitality Salon. The Level 3 Gateshead college student was mentored by professional chefs at...